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Booking It with the French Lady (October Check-In)

Are you looking for a little instant ease when it comes to kids home for summer vacation? I totally get you. Check out the Summer Survival Guide . It's chock-full of great ideas to organize your summer and enjoy great times with yours kids.

Today, we’re sharing all the other books we’ve read over the last month. I’ve got some great reads to share from the French Lady.

The French Lady

My husband has a lot on his mind. So, if I tell him potatoes are $1.50 per 10-pound bag, he may share my joy at a good sale (or fake it really well) and then forget the information. The same is true for some of the books or blogs I read. I have pseudonyms for some of my favorites so that he can track with me and know who I’m talking about when I share some interesting tidbit.

This past month, I dived into a set of books by the French Lady.

OK, that’s not really her name. Her real name is Mireille Guiliano, author of a number of books about French and American culture, business, fashion, and food.

I first read French Women Don’t Get Fat years ago. While I don’t really love the title– too generalizing — I did love the humor and honesty that came shining through. I lived in France for a year, and many of her observations matched what I saw or heard from the French people I met. I reviewed French Women Don’t Get Fat awhile back.

Recently I saw the French Women Don’t Get Fat Cookbook at the library and that piqued my interest in the other books she had written. Almost the same week, her publisher wrote me asking if I’d like to review her two latest books. I seriously wondered if they had hacked into my library account as I had either checked out or reserved all four of her books:

The Overall Message

I have read or reread these four books over the last few weeks, referring to The French Lady several times in my talks with hubs.

I think I would rank Ms. Guiliano’s food writings as some of the major ideas to inform my eating habits. Enjoying good food and identifying levels of satiety are two of my goals for food, cooking, and eating. Much of what she says really resonates with me about healthful eating and enjoying good things in moderation.

While I might not cook all her recipes, they’ve served as inspiration for making my own versions of similar dishes.

One of my favorite books in my recent reread was Women, Work, and the Art of Savoir Faire. Ms Guiliano was the CEO of Veuve-Cliquot, a Champagne company. An older, experienced woman who broke some barriers when it came to business she offers advice to women (and men) about business sense and sensibility. As a work-at-home mom and the mother of future workers, I appreciated a lot of what she had to say, often quoting it to hubs.

She does get a little sexist in her assertions that women are better workers than men. As the mother of four boys, I hope that this is not true. I expect my boys to be responsible workers — at home and after.

If you’re new to her books, I suggest the first book first. But, you can certainly pick up any one of them and enjoy the ride.

Seems everyone was reading The Help lately… need to check that out 😉
Last thing I’ve read is a plain lovestory – those of the kind you read and trash – not having to use your brain too much.. but nice for a change Now I’m into Kimberly Wilson’s Tranquilista Book – love it

I’m currently reading “Heart of Darkness” and “Swim against the Current”. I may or may not have read the former in school (its been twenty years) but I try to read a classic a month. The latter is a “feel good” kind of book about individual’s who run companies and get involved in politics making positive changes.

I love reading and am attempting to read 100 books in 2011. Failing, but am up to the 60’s. Right now I’m reading “102 minutes” about the events/peoples escapes from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Horrifying, compelling, frightening… you get my drift. Looking forward to reading one of these books.

I’m currently reading a book by a christian counselour called “66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You Into His Story “. It has really changed my view on a lot of things. I’m also beginning a book about counseling by the same author called “Understanding People”.

In the last month I’ve read
Doing Virtuous Business (fascinating)
Salt in His Blood (great history and read aloud)
Debt-Free U (attending college without debt)
Married Mom, Solo Parent (excellent for those whose hubbies are not able to be involved parents)
The first three are reviewed on my blog; the last one will be up next week.

As for French Women Don’t Get Fat, I love it, especially the idea that the first bite always tastes the best, so why bother eating the rest.

The last book that I finished was The Help. I couldn’t put it down! I am currently reading 2 books; Love and Respect, a recommendation from Dave Ramsey and The Well Trained Mind that I found on your site!

I am now reading “The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears in Paris at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School” very delicious book! love books, cooking and cookbooks and this has all three!!

I just finished reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (very good). I’m now reading Juliet by Anne Fortier.

I remember when French Women Don’t Get Fat came out. It intrigued me. Though I too dislike the title a bit, it reminded me that much of Europe takes a different approach to food and meals – mainly French and Italian. Perhaps they are on to something!

I recently read The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger by Marc Levinson. It was surprisingly interesting and I learned a lot about unions and global commerce.

I am into reading TraciePeterson books. She is a Christian Author and I love her series that are Historical Fiction. Both Song of Alaska (Series) and Alaskan Quest. I’ve got several books to start next. Take care…
Emily

Lately I have been caught up with Mother Teresa. Her life is so full of wisdom I can hardly get enough. I have been reading A Simple Path and In the Heart of the World. Both offer tidbits and insight into her life of service and love and I have gleaned so much!

I recently finished The Perfect Storm. The descriptions of the danger in modern times for those in the fishing industry makes me rethink what I buy at the store. The book itself is a little depressing, but it provides an excellent snapshot of a world I would never have come into contact with otherwise.

Just finished reading Stephen King’s mega noval “Under the Dome”. A modern take on the “Lord of the Flies” in my opinion. I think his stories on how humanity can go off the deep end is more frightening than the made up stuff.

I have been reading The Illiad (yes, I’m following along with my daughter for her school work) and I just finished Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. It’s a great book about reading only books from her own home library for a year. I love books about books!

The last book(a series of 3) that I have read “The Tightwad Gazette”by Amy Dacyczyn. Its splendid in the ideas and advice that works even though we are in this Internet age and everything is out there to BUY to simplify life…I have to checkout of the library again soon…

My first ever comment on a blog before, although I’ve been following the Booking It series all year. this month I finished No Country for Old Men. And I’m still trudging through Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship.

I love Mireille’s books, but I don’t have either of these! Would love to win one.
I just read Unbroken – amazing, inspiring , eye-opening WWII story; and Tina Fey’s Bossy Pants – just plain hilarious, fun and smart, too!

I would love to win a grown up book considering I am a mother of 3 small boys and my readings lately have consisted of Scooby Doo, The Giving Tree {a million times this month alone}, and Purple as a Plum.

Having read and re-read “Pride and Prejudice” many times, I decided to read the remaining 5 novels by the “English Lady” (Jane Austen). Just finished “Mansfield Park” and “Emma.” Will either do “Persuasion” “Northanger Abbey” next.

This month I’ve been reading Big Truths for Little Kids with my 1st grader and for myself, I’ve been reading A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George. Here’s the link where I did a quick review of these two:

I’m reading Seeking Peace by Mary Pipher, the author of Reviving Ophelia. This is the first book I’ve read by her and it is an interesting memoir. I’ll definitely read more of her books after this one.

I have read french woman don’t get fat and really enjoyed it . I would love to try some recipes from the cookbook . My husband and I love french recipes. I just finished the happiness project . Also a great book.

Right now I’m reading “The Help.” I refuse to see the movie before I read the book since the book is almost always better. For my kids, I’ve been reading “The Iron Dragon” Love to get ideas from all the other ladies here. Thanks!

I’m a real bibliophile and usually have several books going on at the same time. The last book I’ve read cover to cover has been Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It by Gary Taubes. I’m currently reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

I would love to win one of those–especially the cookbook. I actually just scored a copy of French Women Don’t Get Fat at a library close out sale…so I think it was 50 cents or something. I haven’t read it yet, but you’ve inspired me to prioritize it. I actually just finished A Homemade Life and loved it! I wanted to write about it and link up this month, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get around to it!

I’m reading the Bible, also some stories from the sophomore lit book. I teach sophomore English. No time for fun reading right now… but in a few months when I finish grad school I have a stack I can’t wait to dive into!

I am reading “A Chance to Die” by Elisabeth Elliot, a biography of Amy Carmichael. It is changing my heart with regard to how I look at people, my time, and my possessions. The Lord gave her quite a gift in ministry, but we are all called to have high view of God and Scripture.

Thanks so much for participating in this conversation about "a mom's life."

This is a place where moms can be themselves. Remember that each mother's path looks a little different. Please keep your comments respectful and kind. Reasonable minds will disagree in a nice way.

So let's talk about it, using "our big girl words."

Welcome to Life as MOM! I'm FishMama, chief cook and bottle washer around here. I have six kids under 18, and I've lived to tell the tale. Want to know how to make the most out of what you have where you are? You've come to the right place.

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